1998 Laville Haut Brion
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Tasting notes
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Tangy and dense and introvert and, most unusually in this line-up, this wine tastes as though it still has quite a bit to give. Smoky and sweet and pungent and exciting. This seems at its ideal stage of evolution cf the 1993. Great, racy stuff. (JR)
Magnum. Big, bold, apparently Sauvignon-dominated nose – despite its 80% Semillon component. Round and silky on the palate with very good acid. Satin textured, but not that long. Definitely teenage at the moment. (JR)
The 1998 Laville-Haut-Brion (94-97) is a sensationally powerful wine with the texture of a grand cru Burgundy and the complexity afforded by the Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon blend. (No tasting note was provided in Issue 128. We have instead included the text of the tasting note from Issue 122)
About the producer
Ch. la Mission Haut-Brion – sister estate of Ch. Haut-Brion and part of the Clarence Dillon stable – is one of the greatest estates in all of Bordeaux. Based in Pessac-Léognan but not officially classified, it produces outstanding red and white wines.